“The Pride of Race”

Abstract

This chapter charts Armstrong’s return to Chicago working with Erskine Tate’s orchestra playing to accompany silent films. His development as a singer during this period particularly in relation to “HeebieJeebies,” and his involvement with W. C. Handy and his blues compositions. There is discussion of the similarities of the quartet and music educational background of both Handy and Armstrong and the use of chord substitutions in blues tunes.